Jeff Davis High School's Ger'Kerry Jackson works out with members of the AHSAA South All-Star football team at the Trinity campus in Montgomery, Ala. on Tuesday July 14, 2015. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Wetumpka coach Tim Perry works with Jeff Davis' Ger'Kerry Jackson and Catholic's Thomas Stokes, Jr., at the AHSAA South All-Star football team practice at the Trinity campus in Montgomery, Ala. on Tuesday July 14, 2015. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Catholic's Thomas Stokes, Jr., and Jeff Davis' Ger'Kerry Jackson work out with members of the AHSAA South All-Star football team at the Trinity campus in Montgomery, Ala. on Tuesday July 14, 2015. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Wetumpka coach Tim Perry works with Jeff Davis receiver Kelvin Temple at the AHSAA South All-Star football team practice at the Trinity campus in Montgomery, Ala. on Tuesday July 14, 2015. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Jeff Davis' Ger'Kerry Jackson and Catholic's Thomas Stokes, Jr., work out with members of the AHSAA South All-Star football team at the Trinity campus in Montgomery, Ala. on Tuesday July 14, 2015. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

It's technically the offseason for Catholic running back Thomas Stokes, but he hasn't taken any days off.

Stokes, who signed with Mississippi Valley State, has been living in the gym all summer, and recently reported to school for the first week of workouts.

He'll get to show off his hard work in his last game in Montgomery for the 56th North-South All-Star Football Game on Friday night at Cramton Bowl.

"I was very excited because I knew I worked hard all year long and my hard work eventually paid off. I'm very excited about the game, it's a great chance to show my talent against other talented guys around the state," Stokes said. "I've been training very hard, especially heading into my first college year. As a freshman, I'm the underdog, so I feel like if I outwork them it'll get me quickly up the depth chart."

Stokes transferred to Catholic for his senior season after St. Jude closed at the end of the 2013 school year. The Knights rode the 5-foot-11, 200-pound slasher for 1,044 yards and 10 touchdowns in nine games. He led the team with 17 catches for 280 and two touchdowns.

After being the workhorse for the Knights, stokes knows his touches will be limited in the all-star game. That's why he's playing with something to prove.

"I just feel like I have to prove something to myself honestly. That I can compete at any level, against the best players in the state," Stokes said. "I want to perform to the best of the ability and score every time I get the ball. That's always my goal every time going into a game."